Sivananda Math & North American Gurukul. What is a gurukul? 'Guru' is defined as the 'dispeller of darkness', one who can guide the seeker of knowledge. 'kul' is 'community or lineage, to carry on to future generations. traditionally in india education was through the gurukul system where students lived in the guru's ashram for a period of time to learn and the guru imparted knowledge as per the capabilities of the students. this education was in all aspects of life, not just book knowledge, including discipline and self control. this gurukul system has for the most part been replaced by more western systems of education. however, gurus do still exist and live in ashrams. these places are frequently felt to contain spiritual vibrations emanating from the presence of such devoted and knowledgeable beings. the opportunity to stay in such places may play a big role in one's spiritual growth and development. our purpose is to make such a place available to north americans interested in continuing this tradition. the north american gurukul will be constructed on land adjacent to a living yoga master's ashram, paramahamsa satyananda saraswati's alakh bara in rikhia, india. the construction and maintenance of the facility will create jobs and income for local people who live in one of the most impoverished and underdeveloped areas of india. what is sivananda math? sivananda math was established in 1984 as a charitable organization dedicated to the memory of swami sivananda saraswati, who is the guru of paramahamsa satyananda saraswati. its aim is to uplift the weaker, underpriveleged sections of society, not by simply giving to the people, but by empowering them with the means and opportunities to become independant and free. paramahamsa satyananda saraswati is the author of over 80 books on yoga, upanishads, yoga sutras, tantric yoga texts and kriya and kundalini yoga which he has conveyed his understanding in a clear, concise manner. he created bihar school of yoga in 1964, which today is the bihar yoga bharati, the yoga and ecology university. satyananda yoga as the teachings of paramahamsa satyananda is known in the usa. this is a combination of traditional hatha yoga, raj yoga, gyana yoga, bhakti yoga and kriya yoga from the vedas and the tantras. swami satyananda spent 12 years at his guru's ashram whom he joined as a teenager. 33 years were spent establishing the bihar school of yoga and then in 1988 he adopted kshetra sannyasa, now living an austere life as a paramahamsa sannyasin. services provided by the sivanada math: scholarships to deserving students distribution of clothes construction of mud brick homes emergency aid boring of wells, construction of tanks distribution of cycle rickshaws, cycles, sewing machines, school equipment free medical care agricultural education distributing seeds and agricultural tools distribution of cows and educating villagers in the wellfare of these cows pensions of the elderly support and providing work for widows marriage gifts cultural development programs. " Serve, love, give, purify," Swami Sivananda Saraswati. " Seva" - each action in your life gives a reaction in the form of karma. There is no escape from this for anyone - except when doing seva, Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati. |
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